Riley Dolezal (born November 16, 1985) is an American track and field athlete who competes in the javelin throw. His personal record for the event is 83.50 m (273 ft 11+1⁄4 in) and he is the 2013 and 2017 United States Javelin champion. He now works at Horace High School as a gym and health teacher
Personal and Prep
Born in Stanley, North Dakota, Dolezal attended Stanley High School. Outside of throwing Dolezal enjoys hunting, welding, boating, auto repair, Motorsport, video and yard games. Riley Dolezal grew up in a town of 1200 and taught himself how to throw javelin his junior year of high school. A multi-sport athlete, he had an opportunity to play football and baseball in college.
NCAA
Dolezal attended North Dakota State University from 2005 to 2009 and competed in the javelin.[1] He gradually improved from a personal record of 67.89 m (222 ft 8+3⁄4 in) in 2008 to 69.78 m (228 ft 11 in) in 2009.
Professional
Dolezal teaches middle school physical education and works as an assistant coach at North Dakota State University.
He cleared seventy metres for the first time in 2012: that year he had a best of 72.60 m (238 ft 2+1⁄4 in) and competed in the qualifying round of the 2012 United States Olympic Trials.[2]
In 2013 he placed third at the Mt. SAC Relays before winning at the Drake Relays with a throw of 74.22 m (243 ft 6 in).[3] At the 2013 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships Dolezal had a startling breakthrough. All four of his valid throws at the competition bettered his previous record: he improved from 74.87 m to 76.10 m to 76.93 m and had his best in the fourth round with a throw of 83.50 m (273 ft 11+1⁄4 in).[4] This moved him up to eighth on the all-time American lists and brought him the national title, finishing ahead of reigning NCAA champion Sam Humphreys.[1][3]
The 1920, 1928, 1932, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 championships incorporated the Olympic Trials, otherwise held as a discrete event.
2020 OT: The 2020 Olympic Trials were delayed and held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notes
Kenneth Churchill had the longest throw in the 1932 competition (which doubled as the Olympic Trials), ahead of Malcolm Metcalf. However, Churchill qualified for the final only due to a late rule change by the U.S. Olympic Committee, allowing eight rather than five finalists. As this rule change applied only to the Olympic Trials, Churchill is considered to have won at the Trials and Metcalf at the national championships, even though they were the same meet.
